Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A system may include a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator. The controller can be programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to focus the solar energy on the reaction zone when the solar energy is above a threshold level, and direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to point to a location in the sky having relatively little radiant energy to cool an object positioned at the focal area when the solar energy is below the threshold level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/481,673,filed May 25, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/027,181, filed Feb. 14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,187,550issued May 29, 2012, which claims benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Application 61/304,403, filed Feb. 13, 2010. Each of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology is directed generally to reactors for conductingthermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systemsand methods. In particular embodiments, such reactors can be used toproduce clean-burning, hydrogen-based fuels from a wide variety offeedstocks, and can produce structural building blocks from carbonand/or other elements that are released when forming the hydrogen-basedfuels.

BACKGROUND

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, falling water, andbiomass-based sources have tremendous potential as significant energysources, but currently suffer from a variety of problems that prohibitwidespread adoption. For example, using renewable energy sources in theproduction of electricity is dependent on the availability of thesources, which can be intermittent. Solar energy is limited by the sun'savailability (i.e., daytime only), wind energy is limited by thevariability of wind, falling water energy is limited by droughts, andbiomass energy is limited by seasonal variances, among other things. Asa result of these and other factors, much of the energy from renewablesources, captured or not captured, tends to be wasted.

The foregoing inefficiencies associated with capturing and saving energylimit the growth of renewable energy sources into viable energyproviders for many regions of the world, because they often lead to highcosts of producing energy. Thus, the world continues to rely on oil andother fossil fuels as major energy sources because, at least in part,government subsidies and other programs supporting technologydevelopments associated with fossil fuels make it deceptively convenientand seemingly inexpensive to use such fuels. At the same time, thereplacement cost for the expended resources, and the costs ofenvironment degradation, health impacts, and other by-products of fossilfuel use are not included in the purchase price of the energy resultingfrom these fuels.

In light of the foregoing and other drawbacks currently associated withsustainably producing renewable resources, there remains a need forimproving the efficiencies and commercial viabilities of producingproducts and fuels with such resources

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustration ofa system having a solar concentrator configured in accordance with anembodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustration ofan embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1 with the solar concentratorconfigured to emit energy in a cooling process, in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustration ofa system having a movable solar concentrator dish in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, isometric illustration of a systemhaving a trough-shaped solar concentrator in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic illustration of a system having aFresnel lens concentrator in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic illustration of a reactor having aradiation control structure and redirection components configured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Overview

Several examples of devices, systems and methods for conductingreactions driven by solar energy are described below. Reactors inaccordance with particular embodiments can collect solar energy duringone phase of operation and use the collection device to reject heatduring another phase of operation. Such reactors can be used to producehydrogen fuels and/or other useful end products. Accordingly, thereactors can produce clean-burning fuel and can re-purpose carbon and/orother constituents for use in durable goods, including polymers andcarbon composites. Although the following description provides manyspecific details of the following examples in a manner sufficient toenable a person skilled in the relevant art to practice, make and usethem, several of the details and advantages described below may not benecessary to practice certain examples of the technology. Additionally,the technology may include other examples that are within the scope ofthe claims but are not described here in detail.

References throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,”“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature,structure, process or characteristic described in connection with theexample is included in at least one example of the present technology.Thus, the occurrences of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,”“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same example.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, routines, steps orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreexamples of the technology. The headings provided herein are forconvenience only and are not intended to limit or interpret the scope ormeaning of the claimed technology.

Certain embodiments of the technology described below may take the formof computer-executable instructions, including routines executed by aprogrammable computer or controller. Those skilled in the relevant artwill appreciate that the technology can be practiced on computer orcontroller systems other than those shown and described below. Thetechnology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer, controller, ordata processor that is specifically programmed, configured orconstructed to perform one or more of the computer-executableinstructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and“controller” as generally used herein refer to any data processor andcan include internet appliances, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, programmable consumer electronics, network computers,mini-computers, and the like. The technology can also be practiced indistributed environments where tasks or modules are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network.Aspects of the technology described below may be stored or distributedon computer-readable media, including magnetic or optically readable orremovable computer discs as well as media distributed electronicallyover networks. In particular embodiments, data structures andtransmissions of data particular to aspects of the technology are alsoencompassed within the scope of the present technology. The presenttechnology encompasses both methods of programming computer-readablemedia to perform particular steps, as well as executing the steps.

A reactor system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes areactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluidcommunication with the reaction zone, and a solar collector having aleast one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to afocal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to thesolar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun,and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator to control itsoperation. The controller can be programmed with instructions that, whenexecuted, direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator tofocus the solar energy on the reaction zone when the solar energy isabove a threshold level (e.g. during the day). When the solar energy isbelow the threshold level, the controller can direct the actuator toposition the solar concentrator to point to a location in the sky havingrelatively little radiant energy to cool an object positioned at thefocal area.

A system in accordance with another embodiment of the technologyincludes a reactor, a reactant source, a solar concentrator, and a firstactuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solarconcentrator relative to the sun. The system can further include aradiation control structure positioned between a concentrator surface ofthe solar concentrator and its associated focal area. The radiationcontrol structure has first surface and a second surface facing awayfrom the first surface, each with a different absorptivity andemissivity. In particular, the first surface can have a first radiantenergy absorptivity and a first radiant energy emissivity, and thesecond surface can have a second radiant energy absorptivity less thanthe first radiant energy absorptivity, and a second radiant energyemissivity greater than the first radiant energy emissivity. The systemcan further include a second actuator coupled to the radiation controlstructure to change the structure from a first configuration in whichthe first surface faces toward the concentrator surface, and a secondconfiguration in which the second surface faces toward the concentratorsurface. In particular embodiments, the system can still further includea controller that directs the operation of the radiation controlstructure depending upon the level of solar energy directed by the solarconcentrator.

A method in accordance with a particular embodiment of the technologyincludes concentrating solar energy with a solar concentrator, directingthe concentrated solar energy to a reaction zone positioned at a focalarea of the solar concentrator, and at the reaction zone, dissociating ahydrogen donor into dissociation products via the concentrated solarenergy. From the dissociation products, the method can further includeproviding at least one of a structural building block (based on at leastone of carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon sulfur, and a transition metal)and hydrogen-based fuel. In further particular embodiments, the methodcan further include taking different actions depending upon whether thesolar energy is above or below a threshold level. For example, when thesolar energy is above a threshold level, it can be directed to thereaction zone, and when it is below the threshold level, the solarconcentrator can be pointed away from the sun to a location in the skyhaving relatively little radiative energy to cool the structuralbuilding block and/or the hydrogen based fuel.

2. Representative Reactors and Associated Methodologies

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustration ofa system 100 having a reactor 110 coupled to a solar concentrator 120 inaccordance with the particular embodiment of the technology. In oneaspect of this embodiment, the solar concentrator 120 includes a dish121 mounted to pedestal 122. The dish 121 can include a concentratorsurface 123 that receives incident solar energy 126, and directs thesolar energy as focused solar energy 127 toward a focal area 124. Thedish 121 can be coupled to a concentrator actuator 125 that moves thedish 121 about at least two orthogonal axes in order to efficientlyfocus the solar energy 126 as the earth rotates. As will be described infurther detail below, the concentrator actuator 125 can also beconfigured to deliberately position the dish 121 to face away from thesun during a cooling operation.

The reactor 110 can include one or more reaction zones 111, shown inFIG. 1 as a first reaction zone 111 a and second reaction zone 111 b. Ina particular embodiment, the first reaction zone 111 a is positioned atthe focal area 124 to receive the focused solar energy 127 andfacilitate a dissociation reaction or other endothermic reaction.Accordingly, the system 100 can further include adistribution/collection system 140 that provides reactants to thereactor 110 and collects products received from the reactor 110. In oneaspect of this embodiment, the distribution/collection system 140includes a reactant source 141 that directs a reactant to the firstreaction zone 111 a, and one or more product collectors 142 (two areshown in FIG. 1 as a first product collector 142 a and a second productcollector 142 b) that collect products from the reactor 110. When thereactor 110 includes a single reaction zone (e.g. the first reactionzone 111 a) the product collectors 142 a, 142 b can collect productsdirectly from the first reaction zone 111 a. In another embodiment,intermediate products produced at the first reaction zone 111 a aredirected to the second reaction zone 111 b. At the second reaction zone111 b, the intermediate products can undergo an exothermic reaction, andthe resulting products are then delivered to the product collectors 142a, 142 b along a product flow path 154. For example, in a representativeembodiment, the reactant source 141 can include methane and carbondioxide, which are provided (e.g., in an individually controlled manner)to the first reaction zone 111 a and heated to produce carbon monoxideand hydrogen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen are then provided to thesecond reaction zone 111 b to produce methanol in an exothermicreaction. Further details of this arrangement and associated heattransfer processes between the first reaction zone 111 a and secondreaction zone 111 b are described in more detail in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 13/027,060 titled “REACTOR VESSELS WITH PRESSUREAND HEAT TRANSFER FEATURES FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN-BASED FUELS ANDSTRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS” filedconcurrently herewith and incorporated herein by reference.

In at least some instances, it is desirable to provide cooling to thereactor 110, in addition to the solar heating described above. Forexample, cooling can be used to remove heat produced by the exothermicreaction being conducted at the second reaction zone 111 b and thusallow the reaction to continue. When the product produced at the secondreaction zone 111 b includes methanol, it may desirable to further coolthe methanol to a liquid to provide for convenient storage andtransportation. Accordingly, the system 100 can include features thatfacilitate using the concentrator surface 123 to cool components orconstituents at the reactor 110. In a particular embodiment, the system100 includes a first heat exchanger 150 a operatively coupled to a heatexchanger actuator 151 b that moves the first heat exchanger 150 arelative to the focal area 124. The first heat exchanger 150 a caninclude a heat exchanger fluid that communicates thermally with theconstituents in the reactor 110, but is in fluid isolation from theseconstituents to avoid contaminating the constituents and/or interferingwith the reactions taking place in the reactor 110. The heat exchangerfluid travels around a heat exchanger fluid flow path 153 in a circuitfrom the first heat exchanger 150 a to a second heat exchanger 150 b andback. At the second heat exchanger 150 b, the heat exchanger fluidreceives heat from the product (e.g. methanol) produced by the reactor110 as the product proceeds from the second reaction zone 111 b to thedistribution/collection system 140. The heat exchanger fluid flow path153 delivers the heated heat exchanger fluid back to the first heatexchanger 150 a for cooling. One or more strain relief features 152 inthe heat exchanger fluid flow path 153 (e.g., coiled conduits)facilitate the movement of the first heat exchanger 150 a. The system100 can also include a controller 190 that receives input signals 191from any of a variety of sensors, transducers, and/or other elements ofthe system 100, and, in response to information received from theseelements, delivers control signals 192 to adjust operational parametersof the system 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates one mechanism by which the heat exchanger fluidprovided to the first heat exchanger 150 a is cooled. In thisembodiment, the controller 190 directs the heat exchanger actuator 151to drive the first heat exchanger 150 a from the position shown in FIG.1 to the focal area 124, as indicated by arrows A. In addition, thecontroller 190 can direct the concentrator actuator 125 to position thedish 121 so that the concentrator surface 123 points away from the sunand to an area of the sky having very little radiant energy. In general,this process can be completed at night, when it is easier to avoid theradiant energy of the sun and the local environment, but in at leastsome embodiments, this process can be conducted during the daytime aswell. A radiant energy sensor 193 coupled to the controller 190 candetect when the incoming solar radiation passes below a threshold level,indicating a suitable time for positioning the first heat exchanger 150a in the location shown in FIG. 2.

With the first heat exchanger 150 a in the position shown in FIG. 2, thehot heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger 150 a radiates emittedenergy 128 that is collected by the dish 121 at the concentrator surface123 and redirected outwardly as directed emitted energy 129. Aninsulator 130 positioned adjacent to the focal area 124 can prevent theradiant energy from being emitted in direction other than toward theconcentrator surface 123. By positioning the concentrator surface 123 topoint to a region in space having very little radiative energy, theregion in space can operate as a heat sink, and can accordingly receivethe directed emitted energy 129 rejected by the first heat exchanger 150a. The heat exchanger fluid, after being cooled at the first heatexchanger 150 a returns to the second heat exchanger 150 b to absorbmore heat from the product flowing along the product flow path 154.Accordingly, the concentrator surface 123 can be used to cool as well asto heat elements of the reactor 110.

In a particular embodiment, the first heat exchanger 150 a is positionedas shown in FIG. 1 during the day, and as positioned as shown in FIG. 2during the night. In other embodiments, multiple systems 100 can becoupled together, some with the corresponding first heat exchanger 150 apositioned as shown in FIG. 1, and others with the first heat exchanger150 a positioned as shown in FIG. 2, to provide simultaneous heating andcooling. In any of these embodiments, the cooling process can be used toliquefy methanol, and/or provide other functions. Such functions caninclude liquefying or solidifying other substances, e.g., carbondioxide, ethanol, butanol or hydrogen.

In particular embodiments, the reactants delivered to the reactor 110are selected to include hydrogen, which is dissociated from the otherelements of the reactant (e.g. carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, atransition metal, and/or sulfur) to produce a hydrogen-based fuel (e.g.diatomic hydrogen) and a structural building block that can be furtherprocessed to produce durable goods. Such durable goods include graphite,graphene, and/or polymers, which may produced from carbon structuralbuilding blocks, and other suitable compounds formed from hydrogenous orother structural building blocks. Further details of suitable processesand products are disclosed in the following co-pending U.S. PatentApplications: Ser. No. 13/027,208 titled “CHEMICAL PROCESSES ANDREACTORS FOR EFFICIENTLY PRODUCING HYDROGEN FUELS AND STRUCTURALMATERIALS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”; Ser. No. 13/027,214titled “ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCT HAVING FOR EXAMPLE A PLURALITY OFARCHITECTURAL CRYSTALS”; and Ser. No. 13/027,068 titled “CARBON-BASEDDURABLE GOODS AND RENEWABLE FUEL FROM BIOMASS WASTE DISSOCIATION”, allof which are filed concurrently herewith and incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 having a reactor 310 with a movable dish321 configured in accordance another embodiment of the disclosedtechnology. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the reactor 310includes a first reaction zone 311 a and a second reaction zone 311 b,with the first reaction zone 311 a receiving focused solar energy 127when the dish 321 has a first position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 3.The dish 321 is coupled to a dish actuator 331 that moves the dish 321relative to the reaction zones 311 a, 311 b. Accordingly, during asecond phase of operation, the controller 190 directs the dish actuator331 to move the dish 321 to the second position shown in dashed lines inFIG. 3. In one embodiment, this arrangement can be used to provide heatto the second reaction zone 311 b when the dish 321 is in the secondposition. In another embodiment, this arrangement can be used to coolthe second reaction zone 311 b. Accordingly, the controller 190 candirect the concentrator actuator 125 to point the dish 321 to a positionin the sky having little or no radiant energy, thus allowing the secondreaction zone 311 b to reject heat to the dish 321 and ultimately tospace, in a manner generally similar to that described above withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In other embodiments, the systems can include solar collectors havingarrangements other than a dish arrangement. For example, FIG. 4illustrates a system 400 having a reactor 410 that is coupled to a solarconcentrator 420 in the form of a trough 421. The trough 421 is rotatedby one or more trough actuators 431, and includes a concentrator surface423 that directs incident solar energy 126 toward the reactor 410 forheating. In a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the reactor 410 caninclude a first reaction zone 411 a and a second reaction zone 411 bthat can operate in a manner generally similar to that described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The system 400 can further include afirst heat exchanger 450 a that can be moved toward or away from a focalarea 424 provided by the trough 421 at the underside of the reactor 410.Accordingly, the first heat exchanger 450 a can be positioned as shownFIG. 4 when the incident solar energy 126 is directed to the firstreaction 411 a for heating, and can be moved over the focal area 424 (asindicated by arrows A) to reject heat in a manner generally similar tothat described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The reactor 410 caninclude an insulator 430 positioned to prevent heat losses from thereactor 410 during heating. The insulator 430 can also prevent heat fromleaving the reactor 410 other than along the emitted energy path 128, inmanner generally similar to that described above.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic illustration of a system 500 thatincludes a solar concentrator 520 having a Fresnel lens 521 positionedto receive incident solar energy 126 and deliver focused solar energy127 to a reactor 510. This arrangement can be used in conjunction withany of the systems and components described above for heating and/orcooling constituents and/or components of the reactor 510.

FIG. 6 is partially schematic illustration of a system 600 having areactor 610 that receives radiation in accordance with still furtherembodiments of the disclosed technology. In one aspect of theseembodiments, the reactor 610 can have an overall layout generallysimilar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Inother embodiments, the reactor can be configured like those shown in anyof FIGS. 3-5, with the components described below operating in agenerally similar manner.

The reactor 610 can include a transmissive component 612 that allowsfocused solar energy 127 to enter a first reaction zone 611 a. In oneembodiment, the transmissive component 112 includes glass or anothermaterial that is highly transparent to solar radiation. In anotherembodiment, the transmissive component 612 can include one or moreelements that absorb energy (e.g., radiant energy) at one wavelength andre-radiate energy at another wavelength. For example, the transmissivecomponent 612 can include a first surface 613 a that receives incidentsolar energy at one wavelength and a second surface 613 b thatre-radiates the energy at another wavelength into the first reactionzone 611 a. In this manner, the energy provided to the first reactionzone 611 a can be specifically tailored to match or approximate theabsorption characteristics of the reactants and/or products placedwithin the first reaction zone 611 a. For example, the first and secondsurfaces 613 a, 613 b can be configured to receive radiation over afirst spectrum having a first peak wavelength range and re-radiate theradiation into the first reaction zone 611 a over a second spectrumhaving a second peak wavelength range different than the first. Thesecond peak wavelength range can, in particular embodiments be closerthan the first to the peak absorption of a reactant or product in thefirst reaction zone 611 a. Further details of representativere-radiation devices are described in co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/027,015 titled “CHEMICAL REACTORS WITH RE-RADIATING SURFACESAND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS” filed concurrently herewith andincorporated herein by reference.

In particular embodiments, the system can also include a radiationcontrol structure 660 powered by a control structure actuator 661. Theradiation control structure 660 can include multiple movable elements662, e.g. panels that pivot about corresponding pivot joints 664 in themanner of a Venetian blind. One set of elements 662 is shown in FIG. 6for purposes of illustration—in general, this set is duplicatedcircumferentially around the radiation-receiving surfaces of the reactor610. Each movable element 662 can have a first surface 663 a and asecond surface 663 b. Accordingly, the radiation control structure 660can position one surface or the other to face outwardly, depending uponexternal conditions (e.g. the level of focused solar energy 127), and/orwhether the reactor 610 is being used in a heating mode or a coolingmode. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the first surface 663 acan have a relatively high absorptivity and a relatively low emissivity.This surface can accordingly readily absorb radiation during the dayand/or when the focused solar energy 127 is above a threshold level, andcan transmit (e.g., by conduction) the absorbed energy to the secondsurface 663 b. The second surface 663 b can have a relatively lowabsorptivity and a relatively high emissivity can accordingly emitenergy conducted to it by the first surface 663 a. In one orientation,this effect can operate to heat the first reaction zone 611 a, and inthe opposite orientation, this effect can operate to cool the firstreaction zone 611 a (or another component of the reactor 110, e.g. thefirst heat exchanger 150 a described above), for example, at night.Accordingly, the radiation control structure 660 can enhance the mannerin which radiation is delivered to the first reaction zone 611 a, andthe manner in which heat is removed from the reactor 610.

In still further embodiments, the reactor 610 can include a redirectioncomponent 670 coupled to a redirection actuator 671 to redirectradiation that “spills” (e.g. is not precisely focused on thetransmissive component 612) due to collector surface aberrations,environmental defects, non-parallel radiation, wind and/or otherdisturbances or distortions. In a particular embodiment, the redirection670 can include movable elements 672 that pivot about correspondingpivot joints 674 in a Venetian blind arrangement generally similar tothat discussed above. Accordingly, these elements 672 can be positionedcircumferentially around the radiation-receiving surfaces of the reactor610. In one aspect of this embodiment, the surfaces of the movableelements 672 are reflective in order to simply redirect radiation intothe first reaction zone 611 a. In other embodiments, the surfaces caninclude wavelength-shifting characteristics described above anddescribed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,015titled “CHEMICAL REACTORS WITH RE-RADIATING SURFACES AND ASSOCIATEDSYSTEMS AND METHODS” previously incorporated by reference.

One feature of embodiments of the systems and processes described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1-6 that they can use a solar collector orconcentrator surface to provide cooling as well heating, in effect,operating the concentrator surface in reverse. This arrangement canprovide a useful heat transfer process for cooling products and/or otherconstituents produced by the reactor, while reducing or eliminating theneed for separate elements (e.g., refrigeration systems) to providethese functions.

Another feature of at least some of the foregoing embodiments is thatthey can include surfaces specifically tailored to enhance theabsorption and/or emission of radiation entering or rejected by thesystem. These elements can provide further thermodynamic efficienciesand therefore reduce the cost of producing the reactants describedabove.

Certain aspects of the technology described in the context of particularembodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Forexample, particular embodiments were described above in the context of areactor having two reaction zones. In other embodiments, similararrangements for rejecting heat can be applied to reactors having asingle reaction zone, or more than two reaction zones. The reactionzone(s) can be used to process constituents other than those describedabove in other embodiments. The solar concentrators described above canbe used for other cooling processes in other embodiments. The solarconcentrators can have other configurations (e.g., heliostatconfigurations) in other embodiments. In at least some embodiments, thereaction zone(s) can move relative to the solar concentrator, inaddition to or in lieu of the solar concentrator moving relative to thereaction zone(s). The redirection component and radiation controlstructures described above can be used alone, in combination with eachother, and/or in combination with any of the arrangements describedabove in association with FIGS. 1-5.

Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of thetechnology have been described in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within thescope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure andassociated technology can encompass other embodiments not expresslyshown or described herein.

To the extent not previously incorporated herein by reference, thepresent application incorporates by reference in their entirety thesubject matter of each of the following materials: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/857,553, filed on Aug. 16, 2010 and titledSUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OFRENEWABLE ENERGY, MATERIALS RESOURCES, AND NUTRIENT REGIMES; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/857,553, filed on Aug. 16, 2010 and titledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGHINTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/857,554, filed on Aug. 16, 2010 and titledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGHINTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE MATERIAL RESOURCESUSING SOLAR THERMAL; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/857,502, filedon Aug. 16, 2010 and titled ENERGY SYSTEM FOR DWELLING SUPPORT; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/027,235, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 andtitled DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH IN-LINE SELECTIVE EXTRACTION DEVICES ANDASSOCIATED METHODS OF OPERATION; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/401,699,filed on Aug. 16, 2010 and titled COMPREHENSIVE COST MODELING OFAUTOGENOUS SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY, MATERIALRESOURCES AND NUTRIENT REGIMES; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/027,208, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled CHEMICAL PROCESSES ANDREACTORS FOR EFFICIENTLY PRODUCING HYDROGEN FUELS AND STRUCTURALMATERIALS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/026,996, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled REACTOR VESSELSWITH TRANSMISSIVE SURFACES FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN-BASED FUELS ANDSTRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,015, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledCHEMICAL REACTORS WITH RE-RADIATING SURFACES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,244, filed on Feb. 14,2011 and titled THERMAL TRANSFER DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/026,990, filed on Feb. 14,2011 and titled CHEMICAL REACTORS WITH ANNULARLY POSITIONED DELIVERY ANDREMOVAL DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,215, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledINDUCTION FOR THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,198, filed on Feb. 14,2011 and titled COUPLED THERMOCHEMICAL REACTORS AND ENGINES, ANDASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/385,508,filed on Sep. 22, 2010 and titled REDUCING AND HARVESTING DRAG ENERGY ONMOBILE ENGINES USING THERMAL CHEMICAL REGENERATION; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,060, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledREACTOR VESSELS WITH PRESSURE AND HEAT TRANSFER FEATURES FOR PRODUCINGHYDROGEN-BASED FUELS AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,214, filed on Feb. 14,2011 and titled ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCT HAVING FOR EXAMPLE A PLURALITYOF ARCHITECTURAL CRYSTALS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/806,634,filed on Aug. 16, 2010 and titled METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETECTIONOF PROPERTIES OF FLUID CONVEYANCE SYSTEMS; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/806,634, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled METHODS, DEVICES, ANDSYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROPERTIES OF TARGET SAMPLES; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,068, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledSYSTEM FOR PROCESSING BIOMASS INTO HYDROCARBONS, ALCOHOL VAPORS,HYDROGEN, CARBON, ETC.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,196filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled CARBON RECYCLING AND REINVESTMENTUSING THERMOCHEMICAL REGENERATION; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/027,195, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled OXYGENATED FUEL; U.S.Patent Application No. 61/237,419, filed on Aug. 27, 2009 and titledCARBON SEQUESTRATION; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/237,425, filed onAug. 27, 2009 and titled OXYGENATED FUEL PRODUCTION; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,197, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledMULTI-PURPOSE RENEWABLE FUEL FOR ISOLATING CONTAMINANTS AND STORINGENERGY; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/421,189, filed on Dec. 8, 2010and titled LIQUID FUELS FROM HYDROGEN, OXIDES OF CARBON, AND/ORNITROGEN; AND PRODUCTION OF CARBON FOR MANUFACTURING DURABLE GOODS; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,185, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 andtitled ENGINEERED FUEL STORAGE, RESPECIATION AND TRANSPORT.

I claim:
 1. A method for processing a hydrogen donor, comprising:determining a level of radiant energy, the radiant energy detected froma radiant energy sensor; in response to a determination that thedetected radiant energy is equal to or greater than a threshold, i)positioning a solar concentrator to direct concentrated radiant energyto a reaction zone positioned at a focal area of the solar concentrator,and ii) dissociating, at the reaction zone, a hydrogen donor intodissociation products via the concentrated radiant energy, wherein thedissociation products include at least one of: (a) a structural buildingblock based on at least one of carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, atransition metal, and sulfur; and (b) a hydrogen-based fuel; and inresponse to a determination that the detected radiant energy is lessthan the threshold, positioning the solar concentrator to disperse heatfrom the reaction zone positioned at the focal area of the solarconcentrator.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen donorincludes methane, and wherein providing includes providing hydrogen andat least one of carbon, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen donor includes a hydrocarbon. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen donor includes a nitrogenouscompound.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating aradiation control structure positioned between the solar concentratorand the focal area by: positioning a first surface of the radiationcontrol structure having a first radiant energy absorptivity and a firstradiant energy emissivity to face toward the solar concentrator when theradiant energy is equal to or greater than a threshold value; andpositioning a second surface of the radiation control structure having asecond radiant energy absorptivity less than the first radiant energyabsorptivity and a second radiant energy emissivity greater than thefirst radiant energy emissivity to face toward the focal area when theradiant energy is less than the threshold value.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising: in response to a determination that the radiantenergy is equal to or greater than the threshold level, pointing thesolar concentrator toward the sun; and in response to a determinationthat the radiant energy is less than the threshold level, placing atleast one of the structural building block and the hydrogen-based fuelin thermal communication with the focal area, wherein dispersing heat atthe focal area includes positioning the solar concentrator away from thesun and to another location having relatively little radiant energy tocool the at least one of the structural building block and thehydrogen-based fuel.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein placing at leastone of the structural building block and the hydrogen-based fuel inthermal communication with the focal area includes: aligning a heatexchanger with the focal area; and directing a heat exchange fluid fromthe heat exchanger to the at least one of the structural building blockand the hydrogen-based fuel.
 8. A system for processing a hydrogendonor, comprising: a solar concentrator positionable to direct radiantenergy to a focal area; a reactor having a reaction one positioned atthe focal area of the solar concentrator; a reactant source coupled influid communication with the reaction zone of the reactor; a radiantenergy sensor detecting a level of radiant energy; an actuator coupledto the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to thesun; and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator and theradiant energy sensor, the controller configured to: a) in response to adetermination that the detected radiant energy is equal to or greaterthan a threshold, i) causing the actuator to position a solarconcentrator to direct-concentrated radiant energy to the reaction zone,and ii) dissociate, at the reaction zone, a hydrogen donor intodissociation products via the concentrated radiant energy, wherein thedissociation products include at least one of: (a) a structural buildingblock based on at least one of carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, atransition metal and sulfur; and (b) a hydrogen-based fuel; and b) inresponse to a determination that the detected radiant energy is lessthan the threshold, causing the actuator to position the solarconcentrator to disperse heat from the reaction zone positioned at thefocal area of the solar concentrator.
 9. The system of claim 8 whereinthe hydrogen donor includes a hydrocarbon.
 10. The system of claim 8wherein the hydrogen donor includes methane.
 11. The system of claim 8wherein the hydrogen donor includes a nitrogenous compound.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, further comprising: a radiation control structurepositioned between a surface of the solar concentrator and the focalarea, wherein the controller is further configured to: causing theactuator to position a first surface of the radiation control structurehaving a first radiant energy absorptivity and a first radiant energyemissivity to face toward the solar concentrator when the radiant energyis equal to or greater than a threshold value; and causing the actuatorto position a second surface of the radiation control structure having asecond radiant energy absorptivity less than the first radiant energyabsorptivity and a second radiant energy emissivity greater than thefirst radiant energy emissivity to face toward the focal area when theradiant energy is less than the threshold value.
 13. The system of claim8, wherein the controller is further configured to: in response to adetermination that the radiant energy is equal to or greater than thethreshold level, causing the actuator to point the solar concentratortoward the sun; and in response to a determination that the radiantenergy is less than the threshold level, place at least one of thestructural building block and the hydrogen-based fuel in thermalcommunication with the focal area wherein dispersing heat at the focalarea includes positioning the solar concentrator away from the sun andto another location having relatively little radiant energy to cool theat least one of the structural building block and the hydrogen-basedfuel.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured toplace at least one of the structural building block and thehydrogen-based fuel in thermal communication with the focal areaincludes the controller configured to: align a heat exchanger with thefocal area; and direct a heat exchange fluid from the heat exchanger tothe at least one of the structural building block and the hydrogen-basedfuel.